I am sixty-seven years old now, and life has become very simple for me. I ask God each day for the opportunity to love other people, especially those who feel unloved – the outcasts of the world. Oh, I know I must fall terribly short of the mark. But it doesn’t keep me from trying!

Jesus said, “The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want” (Mark 14:7). Wow, endless chances to do good! I like that.

And consider this from the apostle Paul, who said the entire Law can be summed up in one sentence, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14).

Why do we over-complicate things?

What’s that saying—once a man, twice a child? Seems I’m heading back to where I started. And that’s okay; I’m blessed to still be standing. In my 40s, I often told my friends that my goal in life was to be an educated child. I took my cue from Jesus, who said, “Suffer the little children to come to me… for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14).

Ah, to be a child again. That’s what I really want to be. Flexible of mind and body, sweet-smelling (“baby-fresh”), inquisitive, pure. I also want to be a child in terms of how I “see” other people. Lord, keep me from judgment! Help me be a friend to sinners and outcasts! I have this theory, you see. That is where I’ll find Jesus.

You may have heard. We’re making a movie. It’s called The Puzzle Factory. It’s semi-autobiographical and tells the story of my son’s struggles with mental illness. The movie begins with a father (me) looking for his lost son. It’s a painful journey but the struggles are redemptive.
 
We’re filming some scenes this coming week in Minnesota… some other scenes in Mexico in March. Then we plan to take a hiatus of five months to raise additional funds and shoot the bulk of the film late summer—again in Minnesota.

I’d like to share a potential opportunity…
 
We’re looking for someone who feels called to be a director, or writer/director, to “shadow” me as an intern and assistant for the late summer shoot. If that’s you, or if you know of someone who would be interested, let us know. Other internship opportunities will also be available. There will be a selection process, so don’t make assumptions, please.
 
And remember, the director is, well… kind of funny.
 
Yours truly,
 
Kid Cris

And now, if I could go out with a little poem that makes me happy...

I WISH THE ANIMALS WOULD COME TO ME
 
I wish the animals would come to me
As once they did for Francis of Assisi
I’d welcome each one by my side
Peacefully to abide
 
Great lion, come, and rest awhile
Quacking duck no meal you’ll be
Bleating lamb, a friend you’ll find
Be it viper, graceful hind
 
And one day comes the best of all
My watchman’s duties to relieve
A child ruler doth appear
My burdened soul’s reprieve
 
They say he’ll come on eastern cloud
Beginning his reign on earth
For many he’s already been
Ruling from their second birth
 
And while I wait for that soon return
I think how nice it would be
If the animals would come to me
As once they did for Francis of Assisi

Cristóbal Krusen